The “corpse plant” on Tuesday, left, and this morning, after bloom collapse.

The bloom on the titan arum, the exotic plant in the U.S. Botanic Garden, has lasted longer than expected, but has now collapsed after being on display for almost four days.

The plant, also known as the corpse plant or stinky plant because its smells like decaying flesh in the early hours of its bloom, opened on Sunday. By this morning it had collapsed, according to a photo released by the Botanic Garden, which is a division of the U.S. Capitol complex.

The plant blooms irregularly every few years when it gathers enough energy, and the blossom usually stays erect for only 24 to 48 hours. But this stood tall longer than normal, giving farm bill advocates hope that the farm bill can also survive long enough to go to conference and emerge in a form that can pass both the House and the Senate and be signed by President Barack Obama.

• U.S. Botanic Garden — Return of the Titan